Method for producing energy using an alkali metal

ABSTRACT

A method is disclosed for producing energy from the controlled reaction of an alkali metal with water. The method comprises forcing a liquefied alkali metal through a filter that separates the liquid alkali metal into alkali metal droplets. The alkali metal droplets comprise small enough particles that the alkali metal droplets completely react in water to produce heat, steam, an alkaline hydroxide and hydrogen gas before the alkali metal droplets reach the surface of the water. The filter separates the alkali metal droplets at a sufficient distance to avoid recombining of the alkali metal droplets. The alkaline hydroxide is reduced to an alkali metal and water which can be reused in the system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of and claims priority toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/173,741 entitled APPARATUS, SYSTEM,AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING ENERGY USING AN ALKALAI METAL and filed on Jul.15, 2008 for Bruce McGill, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention energy production and more specifically relates toproduction of hydrogen and heat from the controlled reaction of analkali metal and water.

2. Description of the Related Art

The current price of oil is at an all time high. In 2008 the UnitedStates national average price per gallon of regular unleaded gas hasrisen to above $4.00. As a result, governments and companies throughoutthe world are searching for alternative energy resources which do notrely on fossil fuels.

One such alternative energy source currently being pursued is fuel celltechnology Like a battery a fuel cell is an electrochemical converterwhich produces electricity at an anode and an oxidant at a cathode.Unlike a battery fuel cells can operate continuously as long as the fuelis continuously supplied to the fuel cell. Therefore, fuel cells differfrom batteries in that they require a fuel to produce the electricity.

Hydrogen is a common fuel source for certain fuel cells. In a hydrogenfuel cell hydrogen gas is used as the fuel and oxygen is used as theoxidant. The product of the fuel cell reaction is water, an extremelyenvironmentally friendly product when compared to emissions producedfrom the burning of fossil fuels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in response to the presentstate of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems andneeds in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currentlyavailable energy production systems. Accordingly, the present inventionhas been developed to provide an apparatus, system, and method forcreating energy from the controlled reaction of an alkali metal withwater that overcomes many or all shortcomings in the art.

From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need existsfor a method, system and apparatus that would take advantage of thephysical and chemical properties of the alkali metals for the storage ofenergy. Beneficially the method, system or apparatus should provide asafe and efficient way to control the reaction of an alkali metal toproduce hydrogen gas. The method, system and apparatus should alsocapture the heat energy released from the reaction. Such a method,system and apparatus for creating energy from the controlled reaction ofan alkali metal and water is described herein.

In one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for producing energyincludes a reaction chamber that retains water at a level sufficient toreact an alkali metal with the water. The apparatus also includes aheating module that heats the alkali metal to a temperature above amelting point of the alkali metal to convert the alkali metal to aliquid form. A titration module separates the liquid alkali metal intoalkali metal droplets. The titration module separates the alkali metaldroplets at a distance selected to avoid re-association of the alkalimetal droplets. The titration module also controls a size of the alkalimetal droplets so that the alkali metal droplets completely react withthe water before the alkali metal droplets reach a surface of the water.A feeder module conveys the alkali metal to the reaction chamber at arate selected to control the reaction of the liquid alkali metal withthe water.

In one embodiment the apparatus also includes a hydrogen collectionmodule that collects a produced hydrogen gas from the reaction chamber.In one embodiment the apparatus includes a fuel cell that utilizes theproduced hydrogen gas as a fuel source. In another embodiment theapparatus further includes a combustion unit that combusts the hydrogengas.

In certain embodiments the apparatus also includes a condensation modulethat recovers heat in the form of steam and condenses the steam toseparate the hydrogen gas from the steam. In one embodiment the steamrotates the turbine. In certain embodiments the turbine may rotate agenerator to create an electrical current.

In one embodiment the apparatus further includes a recycling module thatregenerates the alkali metal from the alkaline hydroxide by electrolysisto produce an alkali metal and water.

In certain embodiments the titration module includes a ceramic filterthat separates the liquid alkali metal into alkali metal droplets. Theliquid alkali droplets are separated at a distance selected to avoidre-association of the alkali metal droplets. The ceramic filter controlsthe size of the alkali metal droplets so that the alkali metal dropletscompletely react with the water before the alkali metal droplets reachthe surface of the water. In another embodiment the titration moduleincludes at least one capillary tube that separates the liquid alkalimetal into alkali metal droplets.

In one embodiment the titration module includes a shape selected todisperse the separated liquid alkali metal droplets in the water at adistance selected to avoid re-association of the liquid alkali metaldroplets. The system includes a heating module that heats the alkalimetal to a temperature above a melting point of the alkali metal so thatthe alkali metal is converted to a liquid form. A titration moduleseparates the liquid alkali metal into alkali metal droplets. The alkalimetal droplets are separated at a distance selected to avoidre-association of the alkali metal droplets. The titration modulecontrols the size of the alkali metal droplets so that the alkali metaldroplets completely react with the water before the alkali metaldroplets reach the surface of the water. A feeder module conveys thealkali metal to the reaction chamber at a rate selected to control thereaction of the alkali metal with the water. The reaction of the alkalimetal with the water produces an alkali metal hydroxide, a hydrogen gasand heat which may be used in an energy consumption device.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, orsimilar language does not imply that all of the features and advantagesthat may be realized with the present invention should be or are in anysingle embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to thefeatures and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature,advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention.Discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language,throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to thesame embodiment. These features and advantages of the present inventionwill become more fully apparent from the following description andappended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention asset forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readilyunderstood, a more particular description of the invention will berendered by reference to specific embodiments illustrated in theappended drawings, which depict only typical embodiments of theinvention and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of asystem for producing energy according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating one embodiment of anapparatus for producing energy according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating one embodiment of astar shaped filter disposed within a reaction chamber according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating one embodiment of aspherical filter with capillary tubes according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of capillarytubes disposed around a feeder tube according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating filter and capillarytubes attached to the side of a reaction chamber according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating one embodiment of afilter disposed around the periphery of a reaction chamber according tothe present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a methodfor producing energy according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic flow chart illustrating another embodiment of amethod for producing energy according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention.Appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” andsimilar language throughout this specification may, but do notnecessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

The described features, structures, or characteristics of the inventionmay be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Inthe following description, numerous specific details are provided toprovide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. Oneskilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the inventionmay be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or withother methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances,well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown ordescribed in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a system 100 for producing energy fromthe controlled reaction of an alkali metal with water. The system 100includes an alkali metal 102, a heating module 104, and a feeder module106. A titration module 108 combines the alkali metal 102 and water 114to produce hydrogen gas and steam (collectively 116) and alkalihydroxide 118. The system also includes a condensation module 110 whichproduces a power output 120, water 122 and hydrogen gas 124. In certainembodiments the system 100 also includes a fuel cell which uses thehydrogen gas 124 to produce electricity. A recycling module 112regenerates recycled alkali metal 126 and recycled water 130. Each ofthe above identified elements are described below.

In operation the system 100 is configured to control the reaction of analkali metal with water 114. The alkali metal 102 may comprise any ofthe alkali metals such as lithium, sodium, potassium, or similar metals.In one embodiment the alkali metal 102 includes a solid sodium metal. Inother embodiments the alkali metal 102 is an alkali metal alloy. Incertain embodiments a non-alkali metal which reacts with water 114 toproduce hydrogen gas 124 may be used with the system 100. In oneembodiment the alkali metal 102 may be selected depending on thestrength of the reaction or speed of the reaction desired. For instance,francium has the strongest reaction with water and may be selected asthe alkali metal 102 for system 100 where a strong reaction is requiredLikewise, caesium has the next strongest reaction with water and may beselected as the alkali metal 102 where a reaction that is weaker than areaction of francium and water is desired. One skilled in the art willrecognize that the reaction of an alkali metal with water becomesincreasingly violent as one moves down Group 1 in the periodic table.Therefore, it would be within capabilities of a skilled artisan toadjust the strength of the reaction to conform to a desired reactionrate by selecting an appropriate alkali metal or by using an alkalimetal alloy of appropriate composition.

In certain embodiments sodium metal may be used as the alkali metal 102.On skilled in the art will recognize that sodium metal has a relativelylow melting point and therefore may be used in the system 100 as aliquid metal at relatively low temperatures. Further, sodium metal isabundant and easily obtained at an affordable price making sodium metalan appropriate alkali metal 102 in certain embodiments.

In one embodiment alkali metal 102 is heated by the heating module 104to a temperature above a melting point of the alkali metal 102. Theheating module 104 includes a heating device such as an electric or gasfueled heater configured to heat the alkali metal 102 to a temperaturesufficient to soften or melt the alkali metal 102. The alkali metal 102is heated to a high enough temperature to convert the alkali metal 102into a liquid alkali metal. For example, where the alkali metal 102 issodium, the heating module 104 may be configured to heat the sodium to atemperature above 370.87 K, the melting point of sodium. In oneembodiment the pressure of the heating module 104 may be adjusted tovary or lessen the temperature required to melt the alkali metal 102.For example, when sodium is pressurized to 3000 pounds of pressure, thesodium becomes liquid at room temperature. Therefore, to reduce the heatrequired to melt the sodium metal 102 the pressure may be increased inthe heating module 104.

In certain embodiments it may be advantageous to keep the alkali metal102 in a semi-solid state. In such embodiments the alkali metal 102 maybe heated to a temperature below the melting point of the alkali metal102 but sufficient to soften the alkali metal 102 to manipulate thesoftened alkali metal 102 through a feeder module 106, a filter or atleast one capillary tube as further discussed below. In one embodimentthe heating module 104 may be a flame or other heat source configured todirectly heat the alkali metal 102. In another embodiment the heatingmodule 104 may be a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat to thealkali metal 102 without direct contact between the heat source and thealkali metal 102.

The feeder module 106 is configured to convey the alkali metal 102 tothe titration module 108. In certain embodiments the feeder module 106delivers the alkali metal 102 to the titration module 108 underpressure. The pressure of the alkali metal 102 delivered by the feedermodule 106 may be selected to control a rate of a chemical reactionbetween the alkali metal 102 and water 114. In certain embodiments thefeeder module 106 may be arranged such that it conveys the alkali metal102 to the heating module 104 before conveying the alkali metal 102 tothe titration module 108. In another embodiment the feeder module 106 isarranged such that it conveys the alkali metal 102 from the heatingmodule 104 to the titration module 108.

As discussed above, the alkali metal 102 may be heated by the heatingmodule 104 to a temperature above the melting point of the alkali metal102 to convert the alkali metal 102 to a liquid form for easymanipulation of the alkali metal 102. In certain embodiments the feedermodule 104 may comprise a pump and a feeder tube. Once the alkali metal104 is heated above the melting temperature of the alkali metal 102, thepump pumps the liquid alkali metal 102 through the feeder tube and intothe titration module 108. One skilled in the art will recognized thatother methods of delivering the alkali metal 102 to the titration module108 may be utilized such as gravity or mechanical delivery. In certainembodiments the heated liquid alkali metal 102 is contained withinanother vessel. The separate vessel containing the pressurized liquidalkali metal 102 may be connected to the titration module 108 such thatthe pressure of the separate vessel containing the liquid alkali metal102 forces the liquid alkali metal through a feeder tube and into thetitration module 108. The rate at which the alkali metal 102 is conveyedinto the titration module 108 may be controlled to control the rate ofthe alkali metal 102 and water 114 reaction.

Of course, one skilled in the art will recognize that in certainembodiments the system 100 may not include a feeder module 104 or feedertube. Instead, in certain embodiments the alkali metal 102 may be heatedat a position directly adjacent to the titration module 108 and forcedthrough the filter. In one embodiment the alkali metal 102 may be heatedat a point above the titration module 108 and gravity may deliver theliquid alkali metal 102 to the titration module 108.

In certain embodiments the feeder module 106 is also configured todeliver water 114 to the titration module 108 at a rate selected tocontrol the rate of the chemical reaction between the alkali metal 102and water 114. In certain embodiments the water 114 may be delivered tothe titration module 108 at or above its boiling temperature. In oneembodiment the feeder module 106 may include a second pump and a secondtube configured to deliver the water 114 to the titration module 108. Bylimiting the alkali metal 102 reactant or the water 114, or both, therate of the reaction of the alkali metal 102 and water 114 can becontrolled.

The titration module 108 receives the heated alkali metal 102 from thefeeder module 106. In certain embodiments the titration module 108includes a filter, such as a ceramic, metallic, or other filter,configured to separate the alkali metal 102 into alkali metal droplets.Where the filter includes a metallic filter, the filter material may beselected such that the filter includes a metal impervious to thehydroxyl ion to avoid corrosion of the filter. Similarly, othercomponents of the system 100 may be selected to incorporate a materialimpervious to the hydroxyl ion to avoid corrosion of each component.

The feeder module 106 delivers the soft or liquid alkali metal 102 tothe titration module 108 at a pressure that is sufficient to force thealkali metal 102 through the filter. By forcing the alkali metal 102through the filter, the alkali metal 102 is separated into alkali metaldroplets. The porosity of the filter may be controlled to adjust thesize of the alkali metal droplets as well as the spacing between thealkali metal droplets as the alkali metal 102 exits the filter as alkalimetal droplets. Adjusting the size and spacing of the alkali metaldroplets results in larger or smaller alkali metal droplets dispersedthroughout the titration module 108. Ideally the alkali metal dropletsare uniformly dispersed throughout the titration module 108. Further,re-association of the alkali metal droplets may be avoided bymaintaining a sufficient distance between the alkali metal droplets.

By adjusting the size of the alkali metal droplet the reaction betweenthe alkali metal 102 and the water 114 may be controlled such that thealkali metal droplets are completely reduced to an alkaline hydroxide118 before they reach the surface of the water 114. In certainembodiments the size of each alkali metal droplet may be selected suchthat the alkali metal droplet are completely reduced to an alkalinehydroxide 118 within about 1 to 2 centimeters from the surface of thewater 114. In one embodiment the size of each alkali metal droplet maybe selected such that the alkali metal droplet are completely reduced toan alkaline hydroxide 118 by the time they reach the surface of thewater 114. One skilled in the art will recognize that in certainembodiments the size of the alkali metal droplets may be selected toassure that the alkali metal droplets are completely reduced at adistance more than 2 centimeters from the surface of the water 114. Thismay be particularly useful where the size of each individual alkalimetal droplet varies such that they are reduced at different levelswithin the reaction chamber. In other embodiments the size of the alkalimetal droplets may be varied to allow acceptable number of alkali metaldroplets to reach the surface of the water 114.

In one embodiment the titration module 108 includes at least onecapillary tube selected to separate the alkali metal 102 into alkalimetal droplets. The capillary tubes are positioned to separate thealkali metal droplets at a sufficient distance to avoid re-associationof the alkali metal 102. In certain embodiments the capillary tubes maybe used instead of the filter. In one embodiment the capillary tubes maybe used in conjunction with the filter such that the liquid alkali metalmay first be forced through the filter and then through a capillary tubeto further disperse the alkali metal droplets. In yet another embodimentthe liquid alkali metal is first forced through the capillary tube andthen through the filter. In another embodiment the alkali metal 102 isforced through a filter and capillary tubes in certain areas of thefilter and through the filter alone in other areas of the filter suchthat some of the alkali metal droplets come directly from the filter andother alkali metal droplets come through the filter and then throughcapillary tubes.

In certain embodiments the water 114 entering the titration module 108may be heated to a temperature just below boiling prior to entering thetitration module 108. In one embodiment the water 114 may be heated to atemperature above the boiling point of water prior to entering thetitration module 108. In other embodiments the titration module 108itself may include a heating device configured to heat the water 114.For example, in one embodiment the filter or capillary tubes may beheated such that the alkali metal 102 remains liquid within the filteror capillary tubes. In other embodiments the water 114 may be heated bythe heat of the reaction of the alkali metal 102 and water 114 such thatexternal or additional heating may be unnecessary. In another embodimenta small amount of sodium metal may be directly delivered to thetitration module 108 to preheat heat the water 114 before pumping theliquid sodium metal 102 through the filter or capillary tubes.

By heating the water 114, the alkali metal 102 remains liquid so that itwill not solidify in the filter or capillary tubes. Additionally, byheating the water 114 to a temperature close to boiling, the reactionwithin the titration module 108 does not need to heat the water 114 alot to produce steam which can be utilized to produce power. In certainembodiments where the heat energy of the steam will not be captured orutilized it may be unnecessary to heat the water 114 prior to theintroduction of the alkali metal 102. Further, in certain embodimentsthe heat produced by the reaction of the water 114 and the alkali metal102 may be utilized to heat the water 114.

The controlled reaction of the alkali metal 102 and the water 114results in the following reaction: Alkali metal+water→Alkali metalhydroxide+hydrogen gas+heat. Thus, products of the reaction includeshydrogen gas and steam (collectively 116) and alkaline hydroxide 118.

In certain embodiments the hydrogen gas and steam 116 are sent through aturbine in the condensation module 110 to produce power 120 and separatethe water 122 from the hydrogen gas 124. In one embodiment the turbineis connected to a generator to produce an electrical current as thepower output 120. In another embodiment the turbine is configured toprovide a mechanical force as the power output 120 such as with a steamengine or other steam powered device. In one embodiment the power output120 may include heat for heating other devices or systems.

As stated above, the reaction of the alkali metal 102 and water 114produces hydrogen gas and steam 116. To separate the hydrogen gas 124from the steam the steam is cooled and condensed to produce water 122.The water 122 may then be removed leaving the hydrogen gas 124. In oneembodiment the steam may be partially cooled and removed as water 122,leaving a water rich hydrogen gas 125 which may then be used as a fuelsource in a fuel cell 128. In another embodiment the amount of water 122removed from the mixture of hydrogen gas and steam 116 is dependent onthe use to which the hydrogen gas 124 will be put. For example, wherethe hydrogen gas 124 is combusted to produce heat, virtually all of thewater 122 may be removed from the hydrogen gas and steam mixture 116. Inone embodiment the hydrogen gas 128 may be used in an internalcombustion engine or other device or system which requires a combustiblefuel source.

In one embodiment the fuel cell 128 includes an electrochemicalconversion device that converts the hydrogen gas 124 produced by thetitration module 108 and oxygen into water and in the process produceselectricity. In certain embodiments the supply of the alkali metal 102and water 114 in the titration module 108 may be controlled to provide acontinuous supply of hydrogen gas 124 to the fuel cell 128. The fuelcell 128 may include a polymer exchange membrane fuel cell (“PEMFC”), asolid oxide fuel cell (“SOFC”), an alkaline fuel cell (“AFC”), amolten-carbonate fuel cell (“MCFC”), a phosphoric-acid fuel cell(“PAFC”), a direct-methanol fuel cell (“DMFC”) or other type of fuelcell as is known in the art.

As the reaction between the alkali metal 102 and water 114 progresseswithin the titration module 108 alkaline hydroxide 118 is produced. Thereaction between the alkali metal 102 and water 114 slows as thereaction approaches equilibrium, that is, as the alkaline hydroxide 118concentration increases the reaction slows. If the reaction between thealkali metal 102 and water 114 is allowed to progress all the way toequilibrium with the alkaline hydroxide 118 the reaction will stop.Therefore, to maintain a forward reaction between the alkali metal 102and water 114 the recycling module 112 may be configured to remove thealkaline hydroxide 118 from the titration module 108. The rate at whichthe recycling module 112 removes the alkaline hydroxide 118 from thetitration module 108 may be adjusted to maintain a forward reactionbetween the alkali metal 102 and water 114. In certain embodiments therate at which the alkaline hydroxide 118 is removed from the titrationmodule 108 may be varied according to the hydrogen gas 124 requirementsor the power output 120 requirements of the system 100.

Once the alkaline hydroxide 118 is removed from the titration module108, the alkaline hydroxide 118 is dried by the recycling module 112. Incertain embodiments the alkaline hydroxide 118 is dried by adding alkalimetal to the alkaline hydroxide 118 to solidify the alkaline hydroxide118. In one embodiment the dried alkaline hydroxide 118 may be removedfrom the recycling module 112 for disposal or further processing in aseparate system. In certain embodiments the recycling module 112 isfurther configured to regenerate the alkaline hydroxide 118 to produce arecycled alkali metal 126 and recycled water 130. The dried alkalinehydroxide 118 is heated to a temperature sufficient to fuse the alkalinehydroxide 118. For example, sodium hydroxide has a melting point of591.15 K. Below 591.15 K, sodium hydroxide may not be efficientlyreduced to sodium metal and water. Therefore, in certain embodiments itmay be necessary to heat the sodium hydroxide to 591.15 K. Similarly,other alkali metals may be heated to a temperature above theirrespective melting points. In one embodiment, the heat produced by thealkali metal 102 and water 114 reaction may be utilized to heat thealkaline hydroxide 118 to a sufficient temperature for the electrolysisreaction of the alkaline hydroxide 118.

The recycling module 112 recycles the alkaline hydroxide 118 byelectrolysis such that the alkaline hydroxide 118 is reduced to arecycled alkali metal 126 recycled water 130 and oxygen. For example, inone embodiment sodium hydroxide may be reduced to sodium metal accordingto the following chemical reaction 4NaOH+4e⁻→4Na+2H₂O+O₂. In certainembodiments the recycling module 112 includes electrodes that providethe electrical current necessary to reduce the alkaline hydroxide 118 tothe recycled alkali metal 126. In certain embodiments the electricalcurrent may be generated by a generator connected to a turbine. Inanother embodiment the electrical current may include an external sourceof electricity. Once the alkaline hydroxide 118 has been reduced to therecycled alkali metal 126 and the recycled water 130 the recycled alkalimetal 126 and the recycled water 130 may be used as the reactant alkalimetal 102 and reactant water 114 to reduce or eliminate waste in thesystem 100.

FIG. 2 illustrate an embodiment of an apparatus 200 for producing energyfrom the controlled reaction of an alkali metal with water. As furtherdiscussed below, the apparatus 200 includes an alkali metal feeder pump202 connected to one end of a feeder tube 204, a filter 208 connected tothe other end of the feeder tube 204, a reaction chamber 210 with awater inlet 212 and a water outlet 214, an extraction port 220, areaction chamber heater 232, a recycling chamber 236 connected to thereaction chamber by a alkaline hydroxide removal tube 234, acondensation module 222 and a fuel cell 230.

A heater 206 for heating alkali metal is connected to the input of thefeeder pump 202 and provides a heat source to heat melt the alkali metal102. The output of the feeder pump 202 is connected to the feeder tube204 at one end of the feeder tube 204. A filter 208 is disposed within areaction chamber 210 and connected to the other end of the feeder tube204.

A water inlet 212 and a water outlet 214 are configured to maintain thewater 114 within the reaction chamber 210 at a level selected to fullyreduce the alkali metal 102 to an alkaline hydroxide 118 and hydrogengas 124 before the alkali metal 102 reaches the surface 218 of the water114. In certain embodiments the apparatus 200 may further include awater pump (not shown) configured to pump the water 114 through thereaction chamber 210 at a rate selected to assure a forward reactionbetween the alkali metal 102 and alkaline hydroxide 118.

The alkali metal 102 is heated by the heater 206 to a temperature abovethe melting point of the alkali metal 102 such that the alkali metal 102is liquefied. The feeder pump 202 pumps the liquefied alkali metal 102through the feeder tube 204 and through the filter 208. The filter 208includes fine openings which separates the liquid alkali metal intoalkali metal droplets 216. The fine openings disposed within the filter208 are separated at a sufficient distance to avoid re-association ofthe alkali metal 102. The fine openings disposed within the filter 208have a diameter that produces an alkali metal droplet 216 which isproportioned such that the alkali metal droplet 216 is completelyreduced to an alkaline hydroxide 118 before the alkali metal droplet 216reaches the surface 218 of the water 114. As the alkali metal 102 isconverted to alkaline hydroxide 118 hydrogen gas 124 is produced.

In certain embodiments the liquid alkali metal 102 may solidify if it isnot continuously heated. Once the liquid alkali metal 102 solidifies itmay clog the filter 208. Therefore, in one embodiment the reactionchamber 210 may be heated by a reaction chamber heater 232. In anotherembodiment the filter 208 may be heated to maintain a liquid alkalimetal 102. In another embodiment the feeder tube 204 may be heated tomaintain the alkali metal 102 in a liquid state. In yet anotherembodiment the feeder tube 204 may be insulated to avoid heat loss asthe liquid alkali metal 102 is pumped from the heater 206 to the filter208.

The reaction of the alkali metal 102 with the water 114 also producesheat and steam which increases pressure within the reaction chamber 210due to the expansion of the water molecules as the water 114 isconverted from a liquid to a gaseous state. In certain embodiments thereaction chamber 210 may include a closed unit configured to withstandthe increased pressure. An extraction port 220 provides a releasemechanism through which the pressurized steam and hydrogen gas 124 maybe removed from the reaction chamber 210. The pressurized steam isforced through a turbine in the condensation module 222 to turn theturbine.

In certain embodiments the in the condensation module 222 is connectedto a generator which produces an electrical current 224. As the steamcools and condense into water 226 the water 226 and hydrogen gas 228 canbe separated by draining the water 226 from the turbine 222. In certainembodiments the water 226 may be recycled as the reactant water 114. Theseparated hydrogen gas 228 may be used in a fuel cell 230 or may beburned as a fuel for a combustion engine, or other heat requiringdevice. Similarly, the hydrogen gas 228 may be removed and stored in aseparate storage container for later use.

As the alkali metal 102 and water 114 react alkaline hydroxide 118begins to accumulate in the reaction chamber 210. The alkaline hydroxide118 is removed through an alkaline hydroxide removal tube 234. Incertain embodiments a pump may assist in the removal of the alkalinehydroxide 118. The alkaline hydroxide 118 is recycled at the recyclingchamber 236 by drying the alkaline hydroxide 118, heating the alkalinehydroxide 118 to a temperature sufficient to fuse the alkaline hydroxide118 and running an electrical current through an anode 238 and a cathode240 to reduce the alkaline hydroxide 118 to a recycled alkali metal 126and recycled water 130.

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of an apparatus 300 for producingenergy from the controlled reaction of an alkali metal with water. Inthe embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 the feeder tube 302 is disposedthrough the top 308 of the reaction chamber 304. One skilled in the artwill recognize that in certain embodiments the feeder tube 302 may bedisposed through the side of the reaction chamber 302 similar to theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 2. Additionally, one skilled in the artwill recognize that in certain embodiments the feeder tube 302 may bedisposed through the bottom of the reaction chamber 302 similar to theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 4. The filter 306 connected to the end ofthe feeder tube 302 that is disposed within the reaction chamber 304. Incertain embodiments the filter 306 positioned within the reactionchamber 304 at a distance above the bottom of the reaction chamber 310.The distance above the bottom 310 of the reaction chamber 304 that thefilter 306 is placed may be selected to allow the alkali metal 102 toevenly flow through the filter 306 around the entire surface of filter306.

The shape of the filter 306 may be selected to assure even spacing ofthe alkali metal droplets 312 to avoid the re-association of the alkalimetal droplets 312 within the reaction chamber 304. For example, theillustrated embodiment shows a star shaped filter 306. In otherembodiments the filter 306 may include a sphere, a toroid, a triangle, adiamond, a pyramid or other shape selected to separate the alkali metaldroplets 312.

As the alkali metal droplets 312 react with the water 312 containedwithin the reaction chamber 304, alkaline hydroxide 314 may precipitatefrom the solution near the bottom 310 of the reaction chamber 304. Asdiscussed in relation to FIG. 2, the alkaline hydroxide 314 may beremoved from the reaction chamber 304 through an alkaline hydroxideremoval tube such as the alkaline hydroxide removal tube 234 of FIG. 2.In one embodiment the alkaline hydroxide 314 may be physically removedfrom the reaction chamber 304 via a removal tool such as a shovel orother scooping device.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of an apparatus 400 for producingenergy from the controlled reaction of an alkali metal with water. Incertain embodiments capillary tubes 402 may be attached to the filter404. The length of each individual capillary tube 402 may be selected tospace the alkali metal droplets 406 far enough apart to avoidre-association of the alkali metal droplets 406. In certain embodimentsthe lower capillary tubes 402 may be longer than upper capillary tubes406 so that the alkali metal droplets 406 do not run into each other asthey rise through the water 408 within the reaction chamber 410. Incertain embodiments the capillary tubes 402 include a rigid materialsuch that each capillary tube 402 does not move. In one embodiment thecapillary tubes 402 include a flexible material such that each capillarytube 402 is free to move about the reaction chamber 410. As discussedabove, in certain embodiments the feeder tube 408 may be disposedthrough the bottom of the reaction chamber 410.

FIG. 5 illustrates a plurality of capillary tubes 502 connected to afeeder tube 504 according to one embodiment of the current invention. Inone embodiment the capillary tubes 502 may be directly connected to thefeeder tube 504 without a filter disposed between the capillary tubes502 and the feeder tube 504. The inner diameter of the capillary tubes502 is sized to create a small enough alkali metal droplet that thealkali metal droplet is completely reduced to an alkaline hydroxidebefore the alkali metal droplet reaches the surface of the water. Asdiscussed above, the capillary tubes 502 may be rigid or flexible andthe ends of the capillary tubes 502 may be space far enough apart thatthe alkali metal droplets do not come in contact with one another andre-associate. The capillary tubes 502 may include a predeterminedpattern in one embodiment. In other embodiments the capillary tubes 502may be randomly disposed around the feeder tube 504.

FIG. 6 illustrates a plurality of capillary tubes 602 connected to afilter 604 disposed on a wall of the reaction chamber 606 according toone embodiment of the current invention. In certain embodiments wherethe filter 604 is disposed on a wall of the reaction chamber 606 it maybe unnecessary to include a feeder tube to transport the liquid alkalimetal to the reaction chamber 606. For example, in certain embodiment aheater may heat the alkali metal at a point directly adjacent to thewall of the reaction chamber 606. In one embodiment a plunger 608 isconfigured to force the liquid alkali metal through the filter 604 andcapillary tubes 602.

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of the current invention in which afilter 702 is disposed around the periphery of the reaction chamber 704.In certain embodiments the filter 702 completely surrounds the peripheryof the reaction chamber 704. In one embodiment the filter 702 onlypartially surrounds the reaction chamber 704. One skilled in the artwill recognize that the size filter 702 may be configured according tothe hydrogen gas requirements or heat requirements of the system.

The schematic flow chart diagram that follows is generally set forth asa logical flow chart diagram. As such, the depicted order and labeledsteps are indicative of one embodiment of the presented method. Othersteps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function,logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of theillustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employed areprovided to explain the logical steps of the method and are understoodnot to limit the scope of the method. Although various arrow types andline types may be employed in the flow chart diagrams, they areunderstood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method. Somearrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flowof the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting ormonitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps ofthe depicted method. Additionally, the order in which a particularmethod occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of thecorresponding steps shown.

FIG. 8 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment ofa method 800 for producing energy from the controlled reaction of analkali metal and water. In one embodiment the method 800 starts 802 andwater is retained 804 in a reaction chamber such as reaction chambers210, 304, 410, 606 and/or 704. An alkali metal is heated 806 to atemperature above the melting point of the alkali metal converting thealkali metal to a liquid form. The liquid alkali metal is separated 808into alkali metal droplets. The alkali metal droplets are separated at adistance selected to avoid the re-association of the alkali metaldroplets. The sizes of the alkali metal droplets are controlled 810 tomake sure that the alkali metal droplets are completely reduced to analkaline hydroxide within the reaction chamber before the alkali metaldroplets reach the surface of the water in the reaction chamber. Thealkali metal droplets are conveyed 812 to the reaction chamber at a rateselected to control the reaction between the alkali metal and the waterand the method ends 814.

FIG. 9 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating another embodimentof a method 900 for producing energy from the controlled reaction of analkali metal and water. Elements 902, 904, 906, 908, 910 and 912 ofmethod 900 may be substantially similar to elements 802, 804, 806, 808,810 and 812 of method 800 respectively. In one embodiment the method 900starts 902 and water is retained 904 in a reaction chamber such asreaction chambers 210, 304, 410, 606 and/or 704. An alkali metal isheated 906 to a temperature above the melting point of the alkali metalconverting the alkali metal to a liquid form. The liquid alkali metal isseparated 908 into alkali metal droplets. The alkali metal droplets areseparated at a distance selected to avoid the re-association of thealkali metal droplets. The sizes of the alkali metal droplets arecontrolled 910 to make sure that the alkali metal droplets arecompletely reduced to an alkaline hydroxide within the reaction chamberbefore the alkali metal droplets reach the surface of the water in thereaction chamber. The alkali metal droplets are conveyed 912 to thereaction chamber at a rate selected to control the reaction between thealkali metal and the water. The alkali metal and water are reacted 914to produce heat, steam, hydrogen gas and an alkaline hydroxide. Theenergy potential of the produced hydrogen gas is utilized 916. Incertain embodiments the energy potential of the produced hydrogen gas isutilized 916 by burning the produced hydrogen gas. In another embodimentthe energy potential of the produced hydrogen gas is utilized 916 in afuel cell. A power output is also generated 918 in method 900. In oneembodiment the power output includes an electrical current produced by agenerator. In another embodiment the power output includes a steampowered force created by a turbine. An alkali metal and water isregenerated 920 by electrolysis and the method 900 ends 922. In certainembodiments the regenerated alkali metal and water are recycled and usedas the starting reactants for the system 100.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of producing energy, the method comprising: retaining water in a reaction chamber at a level sufficient to react an alkali metal with water; heating the alkali metal to a temperature above a melting point of the alkali metal, wherein the alkali metal is converted to a liquid form; separating the liquid alkali metal into alkali metal droplets separated at a distance selected to avoid re-association of the alkali metal droplets; controlling the size of the alkali metal droplets such that the alkali metal droplets completely react with the water before the alkali metal droplets reach a surface of the water; and conveying the alkali metal to the reaction chamber at a rate selected to control the reaction of the alkali metal with the water.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising reacting the alkali metal with the water to produce an alkali metal hydroxide, hydrogen gas and heat.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising utilizing the produced hydrogen gas in a fuel cell.
 4. The method of claim 2, further comprising combusting the produced hydrogen gas.
 5. The method of claim 2, further comprising turning a generator with the produced heat, the generator producing an electrical current.
 6. The method of claim 2, further comprising recycling the alkali metal from the alkaline hydroxide by electrolysis to produce an alkali metal and water.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid alkali metal is separated by forcing the liquid alkali metal through a filter.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid alkali metal is separated by forcing the liquid alkali metal through a capillary tube.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising recycling the alkali metal from the alkaline hydroxide by electrolysis to produce an alkali metal and water. 